Max executed a perilous maneuver, and surprisingly, it proved to be successful. At that moment, his bloodline underwent a profound metamorphosis, assimilating the lightning within him. Strangely, the lightning transformed into a blood-red hue as it merged with his blood through the blood-breathing technique.
With each incorporation of lightning into his blood, Max's entire body underwent remarkable changes. He adapted to the intense energy coursing through him. Thunder refined his bones, rendering them increasingly robust. Charred skin peeled away, replaced by a thick and sturdy new layer. All his body hair shed, leaving him completely bald. However, new hair emerged in its place, now a striking blood-red shade. His eyes underwent a transformation as well; the iris turned blood-red, while the pupils darkened to a deeper shade. Not only did the color change, but his vision also enhanced, allowing him to see farther and with greater detail than before.
The third lightning strike concluded, leaving behind only debris and swirling dust. As the tribulation ended, so did the ominous clouds in the sky. Elder Willie approached the location where Max had faced the tribulation, patiently waiting for the settling dust.
As the dust gradually cleared, Elder Willie observed faint arcs of red light dancing in the air. Once the dust completely settled, he stood dumbfounded at the sight of Max standing before him.
What astonished Elder Willie the most was that the current Max bore little resemblance to his former self. If it weren't for the fact that Max was the only one undergoing the tribulation, Elder Willie might have mistaken him for a different person. Max now boasted a slightly tanned complexion, with every strand of hair and eyebrow radiating a vivid blood-red hue, imbued with lingering lightning. His eyes, now a striking red, held a flicker of lightning that sent shivers through Elder Willie as he gazed into them.
Max withdrew his aura, causing the lingering lightning in his hair and eyes to retract into his body. Taking a deep breath, he offered a warm smile to Elder Willie before approaching him.
Upon reaching Elder Willie, Max expressed his heartfelt gratitude, saying, "Thank you very much, Elder. If not for your guidance, I wouldn't have achieved what I have. I also apologize for the shield; it broke because of me."
Elder Willie dismissed Max's concerns with a reply, "It's not much, little friend. After all, you are the savior of the heir to our tribe."
Hearing this revelation, Max was stunned, realizing that the six-eared monkey he had saved earlier was the heir of the Six Ear Monkey tribe. The warm hospitality he had received made sense now.
Curious about the outcome, Elder Willie asked, "So, did our plan succeed?"
Max affirmed, "Yes, it succeeded. However, instead of a unique ability-type attribute, I acquired an elemental-type attribute."
He explained further with a smile, "My bloodline now carries the element of thunder as an attribute. Unlike a normal attribute, my thunder possesses a destructive quality, resulting in the changes to my body."
Surprised but content with the success of their plan, Elder Willie respected Max's privacy regarding the details.
When asked about his next steps, Max revealed, "I am thinking of training here for a month to acclimate to this power before venturing out of the forest into human cities."
Elder Willie, understanding that Max, being a human, couldn't permanently reside with monsters, wasn't surprised by his decision. After exchanging pleasantries, Elder Willie returned to his tribe, providing Max with guidance on navigating the forest safely. As a parting gift, he handed Max a bag made from deer skin, containing exotic plants.
A month passed, and Max found himself in a battle against a pack of Lumina-Hyenas, adept at camouflage and sneak attacks. The leader of the pack, a late-stage level 3 monster, engaged Max while the others ranged from level 2 to level 1 monsters.
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The Lumina-Hyena leader lunged at Max with its formidable fangs and razor-sharp claws, but Max, unfazed, sneered in response. With a quick, calculated movement, he clenched his fist, anticipating the leader's approach. Dodging the incoming bite with a smooth slide to the side, Max delivered a powerful punch to the creature's underbelly.
"Blood Thunder Explosion!" Max exclaimed as his fist connected with the Lumina-Hyena leader. A surge of thunderous vital energy infiltrated the creature's body, triggering a massive explosion of thunder within. The Lumina-Hyena leader was electrocuted to death, its lifeless body collapsing to the ground. This was a newly developed attack, a manifestation of Max's bloodline affinity with the thunder element.
Witnessing their leader's demise, the remaining Lumina-Hyenas fled in fear. Seizing the opportunity, Max conjured another martial skill. Holding his hands as if preparing to throw a spear, a blood-red lightning materialized in his grasp. He closed his hand around the lightning, which writhed like a snake eager to escape. Locking onto a level 2 Lumina-Hyena, Max hurled the blood-red lightning, instantly dispatching the creature. He repeated this process, eliminating several more Lumina-Hyenas. The remaining few scattered in different directions, and Max, disinclined to chase them, focused on collecting essential parts of the fallen monsters in his bag.
Following the guidance provided by Elder Willie, Max navigated through the forest and eventually reached its edge. To his surprise, he encountered a stationed cavalry just outside the forest. Puzzled but relieved, Max approached them, intending to seek directions.
Contrary to his expectations, as he neared the group, the cavalry members swiftly drew their weapons and pointed them at Max.
The closest man, demanding an explanation, shouted, "Who are you? State your name!"
Stunned by this hostile reception, Max hesitated, unsure why they would react with aggression upon seeing him. Ignoring Max's silence, the man repeated his demand, "I asked you who you are! State your name or face the consequences!"
In response to the commotion, a man emerged from a carriage stationed nearby and inquired, "What happened?"
Observing the situation, one of the men explained, "Young Master, this man emerged from the forest."
The young man, approximately 20 years old with a peak Sea Forming Stage cultivation, stepped forward. A prodigy akin to the 5th prince, he scrutinized Max while Max reciprocated the assessment.
Sensing a potential threat from Max, the young man initially appeared serious but soon relaxed. With a smile on his face, he addressed Max, "Fellow expert, who are you, and what brings you here?"
Surprised by the sudden change in demeanor, Max reflected on the fact that the young man also perceived danger from him. Emitting a subtle aura in readiness to defend himself, Max decided to reciprocate the kindness shown to him.
"Who I am doesn't matter; I'm just passing through. What I'd like to know is the way to the nearest city," Max replied politely.
The young man, still recovering from the unexpected response, found himself at a loss for words. Despite the evident displeasure of the cavalrymen, they refrained from speaking out in deference to their young master.
"Follow the road to the left, and you'll reach Maple Leaf City in two days on foot," the young man instructed.
Curious, he then inquired, "Did you come from inside the forest?"
Max nodded in affirmation, as there was no reason to conceal the truth—the cavalrymen had already witnessed his emergence from the forest.
Encouraged by Max's cooperative response, the young man continued his inquiry, "Did you happen to see a demon cultivator running into the forest?"
Max, unfamiliar with the term "demon cultivator," wore a puzzled expression. Despite lacking knowledge about demon cultivators, he provided the young man with relevant information.
"I'm not familiar with demon cultivators, but if you're searching for someone who ran into the forest from the direction I came, you'll be disappointed. There's no one in that direction. Moreover, there's a nearby lair of Lumina-Hyenas. If you're not cautious, you might end up in their clutches. Their leader was a late-stage level 3 monster, and I found no signs of recent fighting or killing in that area," Max replied.
The young man, stunned by Max's ignorance of demon cultivators, soon grasped the implications of the latter part of Max's statement. A shadow crossed his face, realizing he had been deceived into coming here. The man they sought was likely not in the forest. Knowing the Lumina-Hyenas' expertise in camouflage, he understood that if they had ambushed the individual they were after, he would likely have met a fatal end. Moreover, a demon cultivator would avoid engaging with Lumina-Hyenas to evade unnecessary confrontation. What astonished the young man most was Max's revelation that the Lumina-Hyena leader had been killed, and judging by Max's demeanor, he strongly suspected Max to be the assailant.
After conveying this information, Max respectfully cupped his fists at the young man and departed in the direction indicated by the latter.